The Foundation of Fifty-Five Years of Ministry (Selected Scriptures) | John MacArthur
The Unshakable Truth Behind a Lifetime of Ministry
For fifty-five years of ministry, I never set out to build a legacy, pursue influence, or step into the world’s arenas of power. All I ever wanted was to live inside the richness of what God was doing through His church—the only institution Christ Himself promised to build
No pastor ever begins imagining they will serve in one place for more than half a century. Many never reach five years. But God, in His kindness, allowed us to walk this journey together, and the years have revealed something I understood from the beginning: the foundation of ministry is not human strength, but divine certainty.
1. Christ Builds His Church—Not Us
Early in ministry, a reporter once asked if I wanted to “build the church.” My answer was simple:
“No—because Jesus said He would build it.”
I cannot save a soul. I cannot sanctify a heart. I cannot orchestrate providence. If eternal destinies depended on the effectiveness of my sermons, I would collapse under the weight. But Scripture speaks a liberating truth:
“I will build My Church.”
Every person the Father gives to the Son will come. Every one will be held. Every one will be raised in glory. God chose His people not merely to begin the journey—but to finish it in Christlikeness. This truth removes fear from ministry and replaces it with joy. Everything that happens here, God Himself accomplishes.
2. The Church—Earth’s Most Precious Reality
I never desired political power, cultural influence, or any other platform. My heart belonged to one place: the church—the kingdom of God on earth.
The world is driven by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. It is passing away. The church, however, is eternal. It is where truth gives birth to life, and where life produces love—the very love Christ demonstrated when He stooped to wash His disciples’ feet.
For 55 years, I have watched that love deepen in this congregation. It didn’t appear overnight. It grew through service, sacrifice, and shared faith. And it became a testimony that the church is precious not only to us—but to Christ Himself, who bought it with His blood.
3. The Church—Heaven’s Presence on Earth
The church is the closest glimpse of heaven we will ever experience in this world. It is the place where holiness is treasured, where righteousness is loved, where sin is taken seriously, and where worship flows from hearts shaped by truth.
Jesus commanded us to deal with sin, to protect purity, and to defend righteousness—not because it is comfortable, but because it reflects heaven. A church indifferent to holiness misrepresents the God it worships.
4. The Church Will Triumph
Discouragement often sweeps through ministry, but Scripture reminds us:
“We always triumph in Christ.”
We are not here to fix the world. We cannot heal society’s brokenness or balance its injustices. Only Jesus can—and He will, when He comes to establish His kingdom. Our calling is not to rescue civilization but to proclaim the gospel until the King returns.
5. The Church—The Pillar and Ground of Truth
In a world where people believe they can invent their own truth, the church stands as the guardian of God’s truth. No one creates truth; God reveals it. And the church holds it high, confronting deception, tearing down ideologies, and calling every thought to obey Christ.
6. The Church—A Worshiping Family
We do not gather to entertain or impress. We gather to worship—to declare the nature and works of God with gratitude and reverence. True worship grows as our understanding of God deepens. The more we know Him, the more powerfully we worship Him.
7. The Church—A Community of Ministry
The very first article ever written about Grace Church called it “the church with 900 ministers.” Not because we had a large staff—but because our people served, loved, encouraged, taught, and cared for one another.
Every believer is gifted. Every gift is needed. Every ministry matters. I have watched this body live out those truths for decades, and the beauty of that mutual care remains one of God’s greatest blessings on this church.
